A Starting XI Who Didn't Qualify For The World Cup

Anticipation is building ahead of the World Cup with nations unveiling their squad, but spare a thought for the sides who have failed to qualify.

We're talking Italy, the Netherlands, Chile, U.S.A, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, to name but a few.

As a result, some top, top players will be absent from Russia.

Gianluigi Buffon, Virgil van Dijk, Gareth Bale and Alexis Sanchez, among many others including Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

Aubameyang celebrates scoring for Arsenal. Image: PA

The Arsenal striker won't be at the World Cup following Gabon failing to advance from Africa's qualifying round.

He finished the campaign in blistering form, chipping in with 10 goals from just 14 Premier League games since his January arrival. Naturally, he spearheads the attack alongside Manchester United's Alexis Sanchez.

With Arjen Robben and Gareth Bale on either wings. A terrifying prospect.

Robben did, however, call time on his international career after the Netherlands' miserable World Cup qualifying campaign.

Nice midfielder Jean Michaël Seri continues to be linked with a big move away from France after his heroics in Ligue 1, he takes a place in the engine room of the field.

Liverpool pair Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson take a place in defence with the Netherlands and Scotland unable to book a spot in Russia.

Ecuador's Antonio Valencia and Italy skipper Leonardo Bonucci complete the back-line in front of Slovenia's Jan Oblak.

van Dijk and Robertson in action for Liverpool. Image: PA

It makes for a stacked XI:

Image: Lineup Builder

That XI doesn't even include the likes of David Alaba, Arturo Vidal, Miralem Pjanic and Edin Dzeko who could easily slot in, too.

Meanwhile, Spain, Argentina, Belgium and France have announced their 23-man squads with some huge names missing.

From Premier League based stars like Cesc Fabregas and Anthony Martial to Mauro Icardi and Radja Nainggolan.

Here's an XI who haven't been included in their World Cup squads:

Image: Lineup Builder

What's your take on both XI's?

Leave us a comment in the section below.

Topics: Football News, Football, Buffon, World Cup

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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